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PS 1534 
.D54 08 
Copy 1 



o^x-iOOL AND SOCIAL DRAMA. 



'-^ct -vvrell ■yo'dx part." 



OURCOUHTRY, 



7. ^. p£NI30IM 



ZPIRIOE 15 GElsTTS. 



CHICAGO: 

T. S. DEN ISO N. 
1S7S. 



NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 



T. S. DENISON'S CATALOGUE OF 
NEW PLAYS, 

FOR SCHOOLS and AMATEURS. 
1878. 

PRICE 15 CENTS EACH, POSTAGE PAID. 



These plays have been prepared expressly to meet the wants of teachers 
and amateur clubs. They are simple in construction, and require no scenery, 
or onlv such as is usually at hand. They afFoi'd room for "acting." They are 
pure in tone and language. The six first on the list were before the public 
last year, (published at DeKalb, 111.) and met with a most favorable reception. 

"If the succeedinj^ numbers are as <rood as the first, we predict for Ihem 
a larg-e Acm:\vi A. "—National Teachers' Monthly, A. T. and Chicago. 

"These plays appear to be full of fun and to teach many g-ood lessons with- 
al." — Wis.'jour. of Education. 

"The larces are full of fun."— Z>fli/j/ Inter- Ocean, Chicago. 

"These plavs are supplying- the dearth of g-ood literature in this depart- 
ment."— /V. /". School Bulletin. 

ODDS WITH THE ENEMY 

A drama in five acts; 7 male and 4 female characters. Time, 1 iiour 50 min 
Contains a good humorous negro character. 

" It took splendidly. 'Tabbs' made it spicy."— C E. Rogers, Dunkirk, Ind. 

SETH GREENBACK. 

A drama in four acts; 7 male and 3 female characters. Tine, 1 hour 15 m. 

"'Seth Greenback' has one very good Irish comic character, and some 
pathetic and telling situations. The plot is simple and dramatic, and culmin- 
ates Avell." — toiuaJVorinal Monthly. 

WANTED, A CORRESPONDENT. 

A farce in two acts, 4 male and ] f.'inale characters. Time, 45 m. Very 
interesting and amusing. 

INITIATING A GRANGER. 

A ludicrous farce; S male characters. Time, 25 m. 

" 'Initiating- a Granger' brought down the house." — y. L. Sfiarf, Burlington 
lo7va. 

THE SPARKLING CUP. 

A temperance drama in five acts; 12 male and 4 female characters. Tinae, 
I hour 45 m. A thrilling play, worthy the best efforts of amateurs. Pathetic song 
and death scene. 

"It is just the thing for dramatic clubs.'" — The Anvil, Washineton, D. C. 

A FAMILY STRIKE. 

A spicy tarce, illustrating "s-ikes," }, male and ,:; female characters. Time, 
20 minutes. 

LOUVA, THE PAUPER. 

A dratna in five acts; 9 male and 4 female characters. Time, i hour 4? rain. 
Contains a good Yankee character and a humorous darky character. Tnis is 
an intensely interesting and pathetic play. It admits of striking scenic effects, 
and is a strong play for amateurs. 

Act I. I^ouva's tyrants. Act II. Freedom promised and denied. Act III. 
I'he trial. Act IV. Flight. Act V. Pursuit; Death in the mountains; ret- 
ribution. 

TWO GHOSTS IN WHITE. 

A humorous farce based on boarding-school life; 7 female characters. Time 
25 m. Abomids in ludicrous episodes. 



OUR COUNTRY. 

A Historical and Spectacular Representation, 



IN THREE FARTS. 



BY 

T. S, DENISON. 



Author of ^'Odds with the Evemy,'''' '•'' Initiatinjor a Granger^ " Wanted, o 

Correspondent,''^ "A Family Strike,^' '^Setk Greenback,^'' "Hans Von 

Smash," "Borrorving Trouble,,'^ "Two Ghosts in White," 

"The Pull- Back,'' "Country Jtistice," "The Assessor," 

"^The Sparkling Cup,'' "Lotiva the Pauper," Etc. 



CHICAGO: 

T. s. :DEisrisoisr, 

1878. 

OopyrigUi. ia78. Uy T. S. Ueoksoo. 



CHARACTERS. 






A Pioneer. (. May both be represented by the 

Brother Jonathan. \ same person. 

John Bull. 

Young Lady, representing Virginia. 

Young Lady, representing Massachusetts. 

British Officer. 

British Soldiers (itvo). 

Continental Officer. 

Continental Soldier. 

Capt. Bonhomme, a French officer. 

Gen. Marion. 

Rosin, a negro. 

Pioneer's Wife and Child. 

Quakeress. 

Young ladies representing the other eleven colonies. 



COSTUMES. 



British officer, red coat; epaulettes; red* belt; sword; white 
knee breeches ; boot tops ; Chapeau bras. British soldier, red coat ; 
white knee breeches; boot tops; three-cornered hat. Continental 
officers, blue coat trimmed in buff; epaulettes; buff waistcoat and 
knee breeches; boot tops; sword and belt; three-cornered hat. 
Continental soldier, plain blue coat, very r.agged, trimmed in buff; 
knee breeches ; three-cornered hat. French officer, blue coat with 
red lacings; epaulettes; white knee breeches and white leggings; 
gray cap, trimmed with red; sword and belt. Brother Jonathan, 
plain home-spun garments ; straight flaxen wig ; sallow complexion 
in make-up of the face. Pioneers, fur cap with fox tail ; buckskin 
breeches ; moccasins. Pioneer's wife, home-spun dress, and plain 
cap. John Bull, white hat; dark blue coat with brass, buttons; 
red waistcoat; cream colored knee breeches ; boot tops ; big stick; 
fiery red face in make-up. Qviakeress, plain flannel dress; plain 
cap. 

When full costumes can not be obtained the coat and hat will 
sufficiently characterize the whole. The costumes may be made 
verv readily from glazed muslin or other cheap material. 



SITUATIONS. 



/?, means right as the actor faces the audience ; L, left, C, center, 



Steam JPress of 
Cusbjn^, TU9ma§ ^ Co,, 17P CiwK St,, 



OUR COUNTRY. 



i^jl:e?.t I. 



Scene. Lo^ cabin of a fiotK^er. At R, a rude bench -witk cooking 
utensils. ^Riide cupboard rear. Entiaiice L. R'fle and hunting 
foncli on hooks above the door. Axe leaning incomer L. A pole sus- 
pended from the ceiling, rear, ivith various articles of clothing. 
Rude -wooden chairs. ^Discovered a fioneer, his ivije and cJitld. 
Pioneer. Susan, the God who brought us here and protected 
us from the storms of a raging ocean can still protect us from all 
harm. He is just. His eve can pt-netrate the depths of these 
forests, and His arm is powerful to shield us from savage beasts, 
whether thev have the form of animals or men. 

Wife. Our foes are neither, husband. They are demons. 
Pioneer. Aye! and demons fall before His awful power when 
the prayer of the just man ascends on high. Reniember, Susan, 
we can pray here. No priestly rites nor hateful ceremonies 
poison and deform the petition of the just in this broad wilder- 
ness. Thank God ! its free air gives vigor to the body and life to 
the soul 

Wife. The sterile soil of Plymouth mocks the efforts of the 
husbandman. It vielded graves to our dead in that first dreary 
winter. Is it more hospitable now.? There is a better land and 
a sunny climate in the South. 

Pioneer. Other men beibre us have a better right to the lands 
of the South. Thev are men of a different stamp. Besides the 
principles born amidst persecution in England, nurtured in Hoi- 
land and transplanted with sore peril to New England, might 
grow lax under the sky of a sunny clime. 

Wife. Husband, are these rugged hills and desolate forests 
pleasanter to the feet of the toiler than the green vales of Old 
England.? 

Pioneer. Aye, a thousand times better, wife. 
JVife. Nav, sav I! Give me the green turf to walk upon and 
to rest beneath when done with life, instea(i of the cold snow and 
ice of a barren land. 

Pioneer. Slaves tread that beautiful turf by thousands. What 
are its emerald hues to their dull ^yes? Alas! its t(evvs only 
breed rheumatism to rack Ui? body, md its beautif\il c^^at pro^^cts 



64 OUR COUNTRY. 

the germs of noxious weeds which aching fingers must uproot 
for a scant pittance of daily bread. Praised be the day when we 
abandoned the oppression and misery of the old world for the 
dangers and freedom of the new. Didst thou not say so till of 
late, wife.'' 

Wife. No complaints of mine shall add to thy load of cares. 
Our lot is cast here. But shall our friends follow in our footsteps ? 
May not the terrors of that first sad dreary winter be repeated.? 
Had we not a dear father and a gentle sister laid under that cold 
vmfeeling snow which thou lovest so well. Even now the whoop 
of the savage is at our very door. Freedom is well enough, but 
who will live to enjoy it.? 

Pioneer. Nay. Susan, that question no one can answer. We 
are in the hands of the Lord. Our blessed dead died in full as- 
surance of his blessing. They were laid under the pure snow — fit- 
ting emblem of their'lives. Ah! that simple sepulchre under the 
waving pines mocks the blood-stained monuments of haughty 
kings and foul usurpers. 

Wife. Dear husband, the dead lie m peace. It is not for them 
1 grieve, but for the living. I am content with the hard fare and 
harder toil of the wilderness. That you can not doubt after those 
memorable days of famine, when no bread passed our lips lor 
days, and the beasts of the forest fled from the rifle of the white 
man and the terrible hunger of a famished land. 

Pioneer. Nay Susan^ I doubt not your patience. I can not 
doubt it. Calm your fears. • 

Wife. How can I be brave as you are.? The weakness of my 
sex forbids it. We have a child. (Folds boy fo her.) We are sur- 
rounded by animals in the form of men whose deeds are worthy 
of demons. Let us seek the town for a few days until these 
prowling sons of the forest leave the vicinity of the settlements. 

Pioneer. I think we are in no danger nov/. Neighbor Good- 
win says to-day that the Governor is about to conclude a peace 
with the hostile tribes. 

Wife. Only to be broken, that unsuspecting helpless familie* 
mav be butchered in cold blood. 

Pioneer. At the worst we are strong. Brother will return from 
the hunt in a few hours. We have two good rifles, and thy arm, 
Susan, is as good as any man 's. Brother shall leave the cabin 
no more until we feel assured of safety. 

Enter Pioneer'' s Brother. 

Pioneer. Brother, you are here sooner than we expected. Has 
the chase been successful? 

Brother. My eyes have seen strange things in the forest 

Pioneer. What have you seen, brother.? 

Wife. There is danger.? T ran read it in his looks. 

Brother. Verily there is danger, pressing danger. In the 
depths of the forest I have tracked the secret movements of the 



OUR COUNTRY. 65 

red men. They move by stealth and the blow may fall at any 
minute. 

Wife. {WifJt upturned eyes, clasping child.) Merciful Father, 
protect Thy children. 

Brother. A few hours will tell the tale of life or death. 

Pioneer. Trusty rifles, with Divine aid will shield thee, wife. 
Fear not. {Men on either side of the woman. As the curtain jails 
husband places his arm around his wife. She folds the child in her 
arms and kisses it.) 

Tableau. Indian massacre. At JL, Pioneer's brother lying- 
dead with ail Indian in the act of .scalping him. Wife in R with dis- 
hevelled hair and torn clothes.^ holding the child tightly in her arms., 
while a large Indian who has seized it by one arm is in the act of 
dashing its brains out with a tomahawk. Husband in C with poised 
rifle aimed at the Indian who threatens the child. Another Indian 
L of hus'iand with an uplifted war-club of huge dimensions^ about to 
dash out the brains of the husband. Strong red light thrown upon 
the scene. Characters should be arranged in an irregular semicircle., 
but not too precisely. 



X^J^K^T II, 



ScEXE I. A street. Characters., Brother Jonathan and John 
Bull and young ladies representing Massachusetts and Virginia. 

Enter L, Brother Jonathan, R, John Bull, meeting in C. 

Brother J. Good morning, Johnny Bull! 

yohn B. {Loftily.) Where are your manners, Jonathan."* 
Where are your manners.'' My name is John Bull. I want none 
of your nicknames, boy, and besides you should say Sir when ad- 
dressing me. 

Brother J. To be sure! I forgot that. {With show of mock po- 
liteness ) Good morning, Sir John Bull. Pardon my forgetful- 
ness. Your Lordship — 

yohn B. Lordship! Begone you rascal! You would mock. 
me would you.? I wish you to understand that so far as you. are 
concerned I am simply John Bull and that is quite enough for 
you to know until you have reached years of discretion. 

Brother f. Indeed, Mr. Bull ! Just as you say ! Perhaps it is 
a matter of convenience. Bull is shorter than John Bull and 
John Bull is shorter than Sir John Bull. 

yohn B {Angrily.) Lad, you shall have a lesson in manners 
even though I should be obliged to play schoolmaster mv 
self. 



66 OUR COUNTRY. 

Enter Ly Virginia and Massachusetts. 

Brother y. By my faith the schoohnaster is already abroad in 
the colonies. We think of exporting a few to Old England if 
their spelling books require no stamps. 

yohn B. Aye the very quills they set copies with for the chil- 
dren shall be taxed. Britain has lavished her treasure to defend 
the colonies from scheming foes. The colonies shall repay that 
outlay. The honest man never repudiates an honest debt. 

Brother J. In faith, we will pay to the uttermost penny, but 
not until our representatives have the right to a voice in making 
the levy. 

yohn B. {Pompous and surprised.) A voice in regulating the 
taxes ! Tut, boy ! Do the colonies claim the right to hold the key to 
the King's coffers, a right which God has granted to the King alone, 
and which Parliament may touch but lightly. Let the American 
hide that sentiment forever in the deepest recesses of his forests 
and marshes. Such sentiments have brought better men than you 
to the block. 

Mass. And in the attempt to guard those sentiments, the very 
essence of freedom which nature has implanted in the hearts of 
the people of every nation, Kings have laid their necks upon the 
block or bowed their royal heads in mute submission. 

yohn B. No more of this! This is the rank treason of Massachu- 
setts. Let not the colonies vainly follow the examp e set by the 
strong English people in a moment of thoughtless frenzy. The 
lion may indulge in freaks of daring which would make the hare 
ridiculous. Away puny dreamers to your log cabins. The plow 
and the spinning wheel become you better than the sword. 
Britain is strong and America is weak. 

Virginia. Nay we are not weak. Our hardv pioneers have 
strong limbs and vigorous bodies Pursuing the beasts of the 
forests has made them hardy and wary, and constant defense of 
their homes from savage men has made them brave. 

Brother y. And they carry long rifles and know how to use 
them. 

Virginia. Aye, Brother Jonathan, and are not slow to use 
them when their homes are in peril. 

yohn B. {To Virginia.) And this from you, Virginia, whom 
I thought my trustiest and most loyal daughter.'' This treason 
has contaminated the very air by its example. 

Virginia. Nay, 1 speak but the sentiments of my own people. 
We need no lessons to teach us our rights. Our people have felt 
the sting of oppression in common with our sister colonies. 

yohn B. {Angrily.) Oppression! Do you dare to call George 
III a tyrant.!* You shall atone lor this, one and all. 

Brother J. Uncle Johnny, we are responsible. I have no card 
with me, but you can always find me up at the old farm. I'm 
very busy plowing now for wheat. The girls there can be found 
at the cabin spinning. 



OUR COUNTRY. 67 

John B. Go prate to your oxen of your wrongs, base delvers 
after paltry shillings and pence. 

Mass. Indeed, Britain is nothing loth that America should toil 
for shillings and pence. And why not, when King George ex- 
pects a bounteous harvest from tea taxes and stamp acts! 

Brother J. Yes, Johnny Bull, Boston Harbor will pay a royal 
tax, I think. They have a mighty tea pot there. It swallows 
tea by the chest-full. 

yohn B. Boston shall live to curse that day, Massachusetts 
beware! 

Mass. Abate your obnoxious demands and all shall yet be well, 
for our people love Britain and her King. 

John B. Presumptuous miss, do you dare to speak oi obnoxious 
demands. '' 'Tis an insult to the King. 

Virginia. If not the King, h^s ministers are at fault. 

John B. Bah! What do the colonies know of kings and min- 
isters ? 

Brother J. Too much. 

John B. You shall know more! You shall drink taxed tea 
though it cost you more than if made in a golden pot. You shall 
write on stamped paper or not at all. 

Mass. Have a care! Freemen will never willingly become 
slaves. 

Virginia. From the Canadas to the Floridas we stand united. 

Brother J. Three millions strong we scorn your boasted 
prowess. If your stamped paper is ever written upon at all it shall 
be with the bayonet dipped in blood. You will soon awake from 
your dream to see the fate ot the stamp act. 

As curtain fails^ Brother Jonathan X, John Bull L C, Mass 
R C, Virginia R. 

Tableau. Burning of the Stamp Act. Red fire burning in the 
center. Mass, bending over the fire about to bur?i a la'.-ge sheet of 
paper inscribed in large letters^ '•'■Stamp Act.^' Virginia L of Mass. 
txnth a similar sheet torn into fragments. Brother J. R of Mass. 
tvith a look of triumph hajiaing a similar sheet oj paper to Mass. In 
the rear, L of Virginia^ a man zvaving a banner inscribed.^ '■'■ JVo tax- 
ation without representation. Doivn with the Stamp Act.^^ In the 
rear^ R of Brother Jonathan^ a youth 'waving a liberty cap. Stiil 
further to the i?, and rear, John Bull clenching his fist with a look of 
anger and astonishment. 

SLOW CURTAIN. 



68 OUR COUNTRY. 

Scene II. Valley Forge. A rtidc log hut in the background. 
Muskets stacked by the door of the hut. A Continental soldier on 
guard; dressed very shabbily; toes projecting f}oni shoe on one foot; 
the other foot wrapped in rags. Sentitiel paces his round. Moon- 
light. 

Sentinel. Merciful Father in Heaven! shall we ever see the 
end of this awful war! Must we die a lingering death of starva- 
tion, disease and biting cold in these pent up hills, while our ene- 
mies warmly housed in Philadelphia, riot in the plenty provided 
for our soldiers? Yes, better su. ha death than submission, did 
we not leave wives and children to the mercy of a heartless foe. 
Alas! can there be but one end to this deadly struggle.? The 
bright example of Bunker Hill and Saratoga fide trom the minds 
of the dispirited soldiers while the hoiTors ot the march through 
the Jerseys and of this wretched Valley Forge haunt us like spec- 
ters of doom. {^Officer of the' guard approaches L.) Halt! Who 
goes there? 

Officer. The officer of the guard ! 

Sentinel. Advance and give the countersign! 

Officer. Saratoga ! 

Sentiytel. Alas! that glorious victory was achieved in vain. 

Officer. What, Williams! Are you tainted with discontent, 
too.? Remember you belong to the best regiment of the line. 

Sentinel. Look on these tatters and ask God to pity the poor- 
est regiment. 

Officer. Our sufferings have been great, but they will soon be 
past. The weather prophets of the Schuylkill predict an early 
spring. 

Sentinel. A pleasant fiction of the officers to revive the droop- 
ing soldiers. 

Officer. And do not our officers suffer, too Feel this thin, 
miserable coat. Is it better than yours except in ooks.? I 
went supperless to-night that a poor wounded soldier might have 
the scanty sustenance which meant life to him. 

Sentinel. Stay! stay! I complain not. Thank God! we are all 
Americans, both in victory and in defeat. 

Officer. Be of good cheer. The genial spring cannot long de- 
lay at best. We hope for good news from France. And the 
great Washington commands. The country is sate in his hands. 
\^At mention of Washington' s name the soldier uncovers his head.) 

Sentinel. Washington needs no helps to win the heart of the 
common so dier. 

Officer. Be of good cheer. Speak encouraging words to your 
fellows. Remember Saratoga and Trenton, tne crossing of the 
Delaware and the surprise at Princeton. 

Sentinel. And forget the bloody Brandvwine. 

Officer. Aye forget it. The year of '77 had closed gloriously 
for the American arms but tor the battle of Brandvwine. 

Sentinel. Frost and hunger are fast accomplishing what a doz- 



OUR COUNTRY. 69 

en Brandjwines could never effect. But the British, though 
thev find us in tatters, shall never find us cravens. 

Officer. Well said, brave boy! Relief at twrelve o'clock. {Offi- 
cer passes offy j..) 

Setitinel Alas ! When will the final relief come. God pro- 
tect my suffering country. {Drops on his knees C, and prays silently 
Tuith hands uplifted.) 

Tableau. T-wo angels silently glide tiear the soldier on either side 
as if watching over kirn. Slow curtain. Mild ivhite light thrown an 
the scene. 

Scene III. Room in the house of a citizen of Philadelphia, of the 

better class. Doors R and L. Sofa R. Table C, -with glasses 

and bottle of ivine. Chairs etc. 1 wo British soldiers discoi'ered 

playing cards. 

Richard. I say, Jack, let's 'ave another dram. 

Jack. With all my 'eart, Richard. Fill up. {They stop play- 
ing and Richard fills the glasses.) 

Richard. Here's his Majesty's 'ealth and confusion to the 
rebels. 

Jack. Aye, aye, Richard ! I drinks the first, but the second is 
not needed, for the rebels are already so hawfully confounded 
they dont know w'ether they stand on their feet or on their 'eads. 
{They drink.) 

Richard. Well, Jack, my 'earty, this is better than sleeping in 
the snow up at Valley Forge and starving in the bargain. 

Jack. Yes Richard, it suits my mind a deal better. 

Richard. And it suits your body still better than your mind. 
(Laughs.) 

Jark. It does of a truth. Long live George III, who feeds 
his soldiers well, clothes them well, and pays them well. 

Richard. In glory, but poorly in pounds, shillings and pence. 
Long live King George! {They flourish their glasses.) 

Jack. This sojering is just to my mind, and as you wisely said, 
friend Dick, just to my body too. Here we are eating and drink- 
ing the best at the hexpense of the rebel citizens of Philadelphia, 
Feather beds, good fires, roasted poultry and warm flapjacks! 
Oh, it 's hawful jolly ! And the best of wine. {Pours out a glass- 
full. ) Here 's your 'ealth. 

Richard. [Empties the bottle into his glass.) And here is yours. 
{Both drink.) 

Jack. 'Ow thoughtful of good George III to put us in this 
'ouse where everything is at our "and. Even a bell to call the 
servants. 'Ow strange that these Hamerican daughters should 
hact as servants. And ours is a sweet lass. Jack, old boy. 

Richard. {Takes tip bottle and finds it empty.) Jack my boy, 
give that bell a pull. This bottle is hempty. Give it an'earty 
pul 1 , Jack . ( Ja. k pulls bell handle. ) 

Jack. I'll soldier in Philadelphia the rest of xwy days, I believe. 



70 OUR COUNTRY. 

Richard. Yes! Philadelphia forever.! Hurrah! 
Enter Quakeress, as servant^ R. 

Quakeress. What will thee have? 

yuck. Wine, wench! 

Richard. And quickly too! 

Quakeress. Hast thee not had enough! 

Jack. Ha! ha! You are beginning one of your deuced Ha- 
merican catechisms eh? 

Richard. (With sigris of intoxication.) JNone of y owx theeing 
and thouing lass, but be ofi. If you can't find the cellar remem- 
ber we can and wiU charge a round hinterest for our trouble. 

Quakeress. ( IVith spirit.) And a round hinterest General 
Washington will charge you when he enters Philadelphia with 
his army. {Exit R.) 

'Jack. Ha! ha! when Washington enters Philadelphia. Dick, 
that is an 'orrible good joke. I wager the old rebel is ndin' post 
haste toward his farm in Virginia. //?>army ! Ha! ha! The 'ungry 
wolves will pick their bones at Valley Forge. 

Richard. And when the wolves 'ave eat the rebels, the rebels 
will be happropriately dressed in wolves' clothing. {Laughs.) 

Jack. An 'orrible good joke, Richard. 

Enter Quakeress i?, vjith bottle of wine. 

Richard. Ah wench, you are back quickly. It is well you've 
learned \ouy duty. [Quakeress is about to leave the room.) Stay ! 
stay ! Cheer us poor lone soldier lads awhile with your company. 

Quakeress. (Indig-tiatitly.) Let the bottle cheer thee, besotted 
creatures. How dare you insult a woman? 

Richard. That needs little courage to dare. Your father is 
old and your brothers are sojerin ! 

^akeress. Take heed ! American women have defended 
themselves from the savages of the forest and they will not be 
slow to defend themselves from the savages of Europe. 

Jack. Fine talk, lass! fine talk! 

Richard. Come wench, sit down. 

Quakeress. Surfeit thyselves on father's wine, but spare the 
feelings of his family. [Going R.) 

Richard. (Mockingly.) Nay lass, thee must stay! Precious 
thee! Thou must guard thy temper. (Rises and staggers towards 
her to seize her. She pushes him suddenly. He falls headlong and 
lies unable to rise She runs off R.) 

QUICK CURTAIN. 



OUR COUNTRY. 71 

Scene IV. A rude log hut in the forest. Only furniture a rude 
■wooden bench and a riide stool. A musket leaning against the wall. 
Discovered as the curtain rises General Mario7i and a British offi- 
cer in conversation. 

British Off. General, can nothing be done to restrain the ex- 
cesses of your men. Marion's band have really become a terror 
to the loyalists of the Carolinas. 

Marion. Excesses no doubt have been committed. Retalia- 
tion is our only means of self defense. The tories of the Caro- 
linas have indeed been despoiled to feed and clothe our famishing 
patriots. The necessities of war brook no restraint. If excesses 
have been committed, who set the example.- Look for a reply at 
the once beautiful plantations ot the Carolinas, r.ow^ smoking ard 
desolate, ravaged by the British soldiery under that flag whose 
people boast that it floats over the grandest civilization the world 
has ever seen. 

British Of. But General Marion, severe measures are neces- 
sary when the people persist so obstinately in rebellion against, 
his gracious majesty George III, begging your pardon, {Lijts 
his cap to Marion.) 

Mat ion. Sir, can you censure severe measures then, in defense 
of this unhappy people.'' Our homes are in ashes; our crops 
have been devoured by a horde of alien soldiery; even our wives 
and children are not safe, but needs must flee to the swamps for 
life. 

British Of. But your king oilers pardon to all. 

Marion. Tour king not mine! My counry is my '-overeign. 
I scorn George s pardon. The time for compromise and reconcili- 
ation closed on Bu;.ker Hill. . When the last man, from the glades 
of the South to th • green hills 01 the North, has fallen, then take 
po-session, but speak not of pardons. 

British Off. Then no arrangements can be made, Gene al 
Marion, fc.r the immediate release of those unfortunate loyalists 
captured by your bana.? 

Marion. None except the immediate release of a like number 
of patriots in exchani;e. 

Enter Jacques Bonhomme, a French officer. 

Jacques. {Boxving.) Ah! I w-is you ze good day, Zheyneral. 
[To British officer.) I wis you ze good day, too, Monsieur. \,Offi- 
cer boivs.) 

Marion. Well, Capt. Bonhomme, any news to-day.? 

Jacques. Ze news ees va rey good. Ze soldiers Francais bring 
in ze camp < ne couple fat oxes". Sucre! Zheyneral, we was hun- 
gry to ze starvation. 

Marion. [Laughing.) Ah! Capt. Bonhomme, you must cease 
to be a Frenchman and become an American. Then you can 
pick ;;p your living m the woods anywhe e. 

Jacques. Parbleu! No, Zheyneral and Monsieur Englees, 



72 OUR COUNTRY. 

(Botving.) I prefair La Belle France to ze woods of Atnereeka. 
Pardon! {Borving.) I |-»rel"air ze serveece ofze Christian Majesty 
Louis to ze serveece oi ze Americans or ze Englees. Pardon! 
Ze Eiiijlecs are ze enemies of La Belle France and ze Ameri- 
cans have not ze good table. {Bows very low.) 

British Off. General, to resume where we lett ofi", is there no 
way to arran^e this matter so that these unfortunate loyalists may 
be released from their very trying situation? 

Marion. As I have said before, only by the release of a like 
number of patriots who suffer in prison. 

Jacques. Pardon! {Bows.) Monsieur, ze suffering is very un- 
comfortable to ze human bosom. Ze prison in Amereeka have 
not ze comforts like Paris. Make ze arrangemong. Monsieur. 

British Of. Quite true, Sir, suffeing is very painiul to behold, 
but {To Marion) our prisoners are at a distance, and their release 
will require tedious negotiations. Release the men I have named 
to you and I give my honor that a like number of Americans 
shall be released. 

Marion. The patriot prisoners must be produced in our camp. 

British Off. Do you doubt my honor.'' 

Marion. Not at all Sir. But these are times of trouble, and 
due 1 recautions wound no man's honor. 

Jacques. Very true, Zheyneral. Ze honair is one tray grand 
circumstongs, but ze precaution is one grander circumstongs. 
{Bows.) 

Marion. Very philosophic, Capt, Bonhomme. 

Enter Rosin. 

Rosin. Massa Marion, de dinner am done cooked. 

British Off. Then nothing remains but for me to return and 
report my mission a failure. 

Marion. You have had my answer. Your flag of truce shall 
be respected. But stay ! Will you not dine with me.'' And you 
too, Capt. Bonhomme.'^ Rosin, serve dinner at once. 

Rosin. Yis, Massa. {Goitig. Aside.) Dat's nearly as soon 
done as said. (Exit.) 

British Off. [Bows.) I shall be happy to accept your invita- 
tion. General. 

Mafion. And you, too, Capt..' 

Jacques. I must decline very much, wis ze thanks. Ze fat 
exes make ze tray excellong soup. Pardon ! {Bows very Iotv. 
Going. Amie.) Ze Americaiis have not ze good tare. Parbleu! 
ze Zheyneral lives on ze roots and ze oakcorns. {Exit with bow.) 

Marion. Be seated, Sir. {Takes officer's cap and hangs it on a 
peg. Goes to door to call Ixostn.) Rosin, bring in the dinner. 

Rosin. [Appears bearing a large piece of bark containing several 
roasted sweet potatoes.) Yis, Massa, here it is. [Places the bark on 
the stool in front of the officers.) Here is de w ater. {Places a gourd 
shell of water beside the potatoes.) Dat's de only gourd left. An' 
dere ain 't nary bucket left in de settlement. 



OUR COUNTRY. 73 

Marion. Help yours If, Sir. Our bill of fare is simple, as you 
see. I am sorr^ salt is lacking. [Breaks a potato avid eats.) 

British Off [With astomsiiment.) Do you mean to say, Gen- 
eral, that a man in your station is content with such simple fare? 

Marion. It is not a question of contentment but a question of 
supply. Begging pardon, that is all your army h.as lelt us. 

British Off. 1 was prepared to witness simplicity and privation 
among these fastness s of the wilderness, but tliis surpasses be- 
lief. {Eats.) 

Rosin. I 'spose i >ught to ax an excuse for de condition of dis 
meal. De fac is dat perwisions ain 't as plenty as dey used to be 
before de red-coats come cow n into de settlement. Axin' your 
excuse, Sah, de red-coats don 't have one mite of mercy for black, 
white, or any oder color. 

British Off. Indeed! Your ideas are strange for one of your 
color. The English are the friends of your race. 

Rosin. Ya! ha! If dey 's de frien's of our people dey's done 
wasted a lot of frien'ship, for fore de Lord I haven't much lub 
to waste on de red-coats. Present company 'cepted, always. 
{Bo-v^s.) 

Marion. We are a united people. You fight for honor, rank 
and distinction ; very good tilings in their way, but very ques- 
tionable where right and wrong are concerned. We fight for 
freedom, for our lives, for our firesides, our wives and children. 
Mark the difference. {Both rise.) Rosin, take your own dinner 
now, and don 't devote yourse f exclusively to the luxuries, rnmd. 

Rosin. {Grins.) Yis, Massa, I '11 stick to dj substantiums. I '11 
take de taters and letde water alone. 

British Off. {Clasping Marion'' s hand.) General, whatever 
opinions I ma}- hold concerning the justness of your cause, from 
my heart I can speak ot he honesty of your purposes. Adieu! 
May we meet ag in under pleasanter circumstances. 

Marion. Farewell. Amen to your wish of a happier meet- 
ing. ( Turns atvay. ) 

British Off. {Going aside.) These people may be exterminated, 
but never conquered. {Exeunt in opposite directions.) 



CURTAIN. 



74 OUR COUNTRY. 



:p-a.e.t IIX, 



Scene.' A street. Enter from 7?, Brother Josatu as, from Z,, 
John Bull. Latter carrvinga valise marked in large xvhite let- 
ters "J. B., LONDON." 

Brother y. (Uvco7isaons of John BnlVs presence.) Hurrah for 
peace! Now I'll settle down again with Susan and the children 
and steady the old plow once more. Huzza! {V\ arcs Irs raf.) 
This is jollv news after no end of trouble. ( IVaves his cap.) Huzza! 
{Sce^ John Bull.) Oh how do jou do, Mr. Bull! Reall^' I did 
not know jou were here. You must excuse me! No offense 
intended. 

John B. ( With dignity) That is quite right. It is very natural 
for you to give vent to your feelings under the circumstances. 

Brother J. I should think so. 

John B. Do as you please about it, quite regardless of my 
presence. 

Brother J. {Half Comically.) Well I rather think I will. Johnny 
Bull, do you remember a conversation we had on this very 
spot, about eight years ago, concerning taxes, and tea-riots, and 
stamp acts.? Some young ladies droppeci in during the conver- 
sation. That circumstance may assist your memory. 

John B. {With dignsiy.) I have a very slight recollection of 
some casual remarks on that occasion. 

Brother J. Whether the remarks were casual or not is unim- 
portant; that they were to the point is certain. You may re- 
member that myself and the young ladies predicted at that time 
the very events which are transpiring to-day. Well I predict 
that the United Colonies are going to be a great deal more impor- 
tant in the future than you suspect. Our paths ma}' cross in the 
future, so we may as well part on a little better terms. Come 
John, your hand. {Extends his hand. Joint Bull hesitates.) A 
shake oi civility will not be amiss, I think. 

John B. True! true! A shake of civility It shall be. {They 
shake hands very formally ) 

Brothe,' J. You must excuse my haste. Our folks are in- 
tending to have a celebration in honor of peace and indepen- 
dence. I would not miss that under any consideration. 1 see 
you are about to embark and I should be very sorry to have you 
miss yo'.ir ship. 

John B. [Snnfpishlv) I have no doubt of it. 

Brother J. I wish you a prosperous journey and a very favof^ 
^l)le wind. {Exit Joiiathan L, John BnllU.) 

CURTAIN, 



OUR COUNTRY. 75 

Tableau. Offerings to Peace. A lo-w altar in front C, in- 
scribed PEACE. Thirteen young ladies in tuhtte^ to repre- 
sent the thirteen original states. Each young lady has a 
band encircling her head coniairung thirteen stars. If desired 
each lady may ivear the coat of ar??is of the state she repre- 
sents. The ladies are ranged in a semicircle, tviih garlands of fioxv 
ers in their hands. The one directly opposite the altar is slightly tn 
advance in the act of dropping her garland upon the altar. A strong 
-white light is throtvn upon the scene. Columbia, as guardian angel 
stands upon a slightly elevated platform, rear of semicircle. 



Note. — After the tableau, if desired, the whole may appropri- 
ately conckide with singing Hail Columbia, Star Spangled Ban- 
ner, or Red, White and Blue. 

If it is impossible to place the tableau upon the stage, the play 
may conclude with the music alone. 



HANS VON SMASH. 

A roaring- fai-ce in a prologue and one act; 3 male and 4 female characters. 
Time, 30 min. Contains an excellent humorous Dutch character. 

THE ASSESSOR, 

A humorous sketch, illusti-ating the difficulties of an assessor in listing- the 
property of a tax-fighter; 3 male and 2 female characters. 'I'ime, 15 m. 

BORROWING TROUBLE. 

A ludicrous farct, 3 male and 4 female characters. Time, 30 m. Illustrates 
the very amusing trials of a borrowing family. 

THE PULL-BACK. 

A laughable f;irce; 6 female characters. 'I'ime, 20 min. Contains an ex- 
cellent old-fashioned, "old lady " character. Pictures her adventures among 
the devotees of fashion. 

COUNTRY JUSTICE. 

A very amusing country law suit; S male characters. (May admit 14.) Time 
15 minutes. 

ON THE BRINK, 
Or, The Reclaimed Husband. 

A temperance drama in two acts; 12 male and 3 fem;ile characters. Time, 
1 hour, 45 m. Seven of the characters have unimportant parts, and so;ne of the 
parts are so arranged that the same person may play two parts. Contiins 
three humorous Yankee characters. A fine play for amateurs. 

A PARLOR ENTERTAINMENT. 

A Sketch ; 2 male and t; female characters. Time, 25 m. A first rate piece 
for younger bovs and girls in schnoi exhibitions. 

OUR COUNTRY. 

A patriotic drama in three parts. Requires 9 male, 3 female characters. 
(Admits 9 male, 15 female.) Four fine tableaus. Time, about i hour. 

A BAD JOB. 

A highly ludicrous farce; 3 male, 2 female characters. Time, 30 minutes. 
A taking piece. 

What Have we to do with Plymouth Rock? 

A colloquy adapted to the use of Illinois schools, and of general interest to 
New England' emigrants in the central Western States. May be used by from 
ten to twenty pupils. Time 40 min. Interesting and instructive in the history 
of Illinois. 

Hozv to Remit. — Postal money orders are safest and best. Do not send 
postage stamps for sums over igcts" unless unavoidable. Sums under 50 cents in 
silver maybe sent in a letter, if carefully pasted between two thin slips of card- 
board. The sending- of silver usually involves additional postage, which the 
sender must pay. 

Registered Letters are absolutely safe. 

No plays will be sent gratis for examination, and no plays exchanged, or 
sent on approval. 

Any published play furnished at short notice. 

No orders filled unless accompanied by a remittance. 

It is best, especially in the longer plays, that each actor should have a book, 
so that all may be familiar with the entire play, and be able to give one another 
the clue in case of hesitation. When all have books the piece may be much 
better learned, and a piece well learned C2t.n scarcely fail to be presented well. 

These plays are not intended for children under 10 to 12 years of age. 

Parties desiring further information, please address us, 

T. S. DENISON, 

79 Metropolitan Block, 

CHICAGO, ILL. 



LIBRARY OF ^.UNUKtoo 



■ 




015 863 525 2 ^ 



At prices within the ?'cach of any Teacher aiid all 
School Boards. 



THE HOLBROOK CONDENSING AIH-PUMP. 

The above Air- Pump, retailing at ^9.00, is claimed to be superior 
to those ordinarily retailing at ^20,00. 

I. It exhausts and condenses without any change of its parts, where 
an ordinary pump, capable only of exhausting the air, costs ^20 alone; 
then ^8 extra must be paid for a condensing chamber; not only this, 
but the parts must be changed, and the pump is likely to get out of 
repair. 

■2. Its exhausting power is at a maximum, the valves being light and 
its parts being so arranged that no air remains under the piston to re- 
sist the raising of the exhausting valve by rarified air in the receiver 
The pump is thus mechanically /^r/"^f/. 

3. No instructions accompany ordinary apparatus. The above pump 
is accompanied by a hand book, giving full instructions as to the prep- 
aration and manipulation of the apparatus in every experiment. 

4. The entire outfit costs but ^20, capable of performing 100 exper- 
iments ; in the hands of an ingenious teacher, a greater number. An 
air pump alone usually costs ^25. 

LIST. 



Holbrook Condensing Air Pump 

—extra brass — warranltd % 00 

Two stop-cocks 2. 50 

One Connector (o 

Movable Receiver 7; 

Two Single Nut Caps 8u 

l\vo Double Nut Caps 90 



Three feet -% Rubber Tubinff... $1 00 
Band Sheeting- and Thin Rub- 
ber Sheeting- 70 

Book of Experiments and Ex- 
planations ot Apparatus Jo 

Brass Plate 2 00 

i/^ Gallon Bell Jar Receiver i 25 



Addl 



All for $20. Carefully packed in a neat box. 

T. S. DENISON, 

Chicago, III. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

015 863 525 2 



